During the year, different RCIA-related things happen at Mass.Depending on which Mass you go to, this weekend you may see one of them – the first of the Scrutinies.There are three Scrutinies, and they take place on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays in Lent.

So who’s being scrutinized?The Elect, the candidates for Baptism in RCIA who have been learning about the faith for months now. Which sounds like it should be a public grilling or a Catholic trivia contest.

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Actually, the Scrutinies are the public part of the parish’s support for the Elect in their spiritual preparation for Baptism.Which is why there is so much emphasis in the Scrutinies on the faithful praying together for the Elect.

While the Scrutinies are brief, they can be deeply moving – and not just for the Elect.More on this tomorrow.